The 3 out of 34 questions on Jumbled paragraphs in Verbal & Reading Comprehension (VRC) section in CAT 2015 may not pose the threat of containing Non-MCQ as the type of PJ questions may have a different shape in MCQ form.
According to Prof S K Agarwal, expert on Verbal Ability since CAT 2015 proposes to contain a substantial number of Non-Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) in each of the 3 sections, VRC is expected to have around 4-6 Non-MCQs where no answer options will be given.
IIM Ahmedabad the top B school of the country has been assigned the responsibility to convene CAT 2015 and this top rated B-school has brought many changes in the forthcoming CAT 2015 exam including introducing first of its kind Non-MCQs in the computer based test.
CAT 2015 test takers will have to first solve the Non-MCQs and without any aid available in the form of 4 answer choices, will have to type the answer on computer screen. But the Non-MCQ is not a descriptive answer question as very limited space will be provided to type the answers. It is very much possible that you may have to write the approach of arriving at the answer also for the non-MCQ.
Space is less: Difficult to put the full answer on screen
The questions on Jumbled Paragraphs and sentences despite comprising 4 sub-parts as ABCD or 1,2,3,4 are supposed to be answered indicating correct sequence of sentences. Since the answers to the jumbled sentences will not form even one or two line answer except the sequence form, it is unlikely that CAT 2015 will place Non-MCQs on Jumbled Paragraphs. Yes, in case a full length of space to write the sentences in chronological order is offered by CAT 2015 on the testing screen of its computer, you may expect the same. This possibility may not be there as shared by Prof S K Agarwal.
Other forms of Jumbled Paragraphs: Practice well
It is not necessary that CAT 2015 may come out only with random type of Jumbled sentences. You may confront the questions where the beginning or the concluding sentences or both the sentences are available in the question. In between there would be jumbled sentences. You will have to place all these jumbled sentences in such a way that they become coherent to the beginning and closing sentence.
Task not easy
The task although appears easy, in fact needs great practice work to know the flow of thought and needs good understanding of connectors, adjectives, pronouns that connect the jumbled sentence to the first or last sentence without breaking the consistency of flow of thought.
Relax! No need to worry on Non-MCQs
Non-MCQs are not the negative marking questions, even if you type a wrong answer on computer screen. The maximum loss is no credit for the question but no penalty of one third mark deduction will be awarded.
In view of Prof S K Agarwal the preparation strategy for Non-MCQs should be to understand the concept, solve and arrive at the answer instead of going to answer options, get biased and then go through the question. The implication of jumping to answer options first is that you stand more chances of losing your marks. Besides with no answer option available you have no idea of searching a suitable answer. The only clue is to solve the question and arrive at the correct answer. This strategy will never let you down, please remember.
Favourite topics for Non-MCQs in VRC
You may find fewer Non-MCQs based on RC passages, Jumbled paragraphs. But CAT 2015 may place Non-MCQs on Error Corrections, correct use of vocabulary, FIJs, Out of context sentences, summarizing the paragraph among others.
CAT 2015 aspirants have to practice more on non-MCQs as they carry equal marks but no negative scoring pattern.
Please also note that MCQs in each section of CAT 2015 will have same question type as appeared in the previous years and will have one-third negative marking penalty.
It is expected that the number of non MCQ type of questions could be 4 to 6 in each section. The exact number is not proposed to be shared by the CAT 2015 convening IIM Ahmedabad. Responding to a query ‘how many non-MCQs are there in each section’ IIM Ahmedabad says ‘The number of questions varies and cannot be disclosed’. The format of Non-MCQs will be shared by the CAT Centre 2015 in the middle of October 2015, around one and a half month prior to CAT 2015 exam day which falls on November 29, 2015.
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